NV La Bota de Palo Cortado Viejisimo “Bota NO” No 47

Another wine that but for the Amontillado 49 would be a candidate for a perfect score, the NV La Bota de Palo Cortado Bota NO 47 is an extremely old Palo Cortado most probably from a good vineyard within the Pago Miraflores in Sanlúcar and made at a time when the musts were fermented in barrel. This wine is now around 80 years old, and comes from a solera that used to belong to Gaspar Florido. The 22% alcohol is the result of sheer concentration. This is one single cask, marked as NO (kept for the owners). The color is a bright mahogany, with a green border, denoting extreme age and a nose with some gunpowder, tar and mineral reduction. The palate combines the extreme intensity of the 49 and the balance and approachable character of the 51 along with piercing acidity and flavors. It is ultra-concentrated and has an incredibly long finish; a beast of a wine. You feel the sharpness of a razor going down your throat, with concentrated sea water, salty, mineral finish. This has real energy and power, only shadowed because the number 49 exists, and also a step closer to being an Amontillado. Bottled in December 2013 into 1,200 half bottles. Dec 2014, www.erobertparker.com, Drink: 2014-2027